LIM Soo Gan 林树彦
Chinese Dialect Groups,
Accession Number 000147
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 27
Total Reels
- Tan Beng Luan
Interviewer
- 12:20:00
Total Running Time
- Hokkien
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 27
Metadata
- 3 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:46
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal and family background. Villagers' financial status improved on return from abroad. Chaos caused by village bandits. Villagers' occupations. Why he chose to work in Djambi. Travelling arrangements and passage for his journey. Kinsman in Singapore took him to Djambi. Circumstances leading to involvements in re-setting up Chinese school and recruiting teachers for school.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 2 of 27
Metadata
- 3 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Reason for helping to set up another school. How he resolved difficulties in collecting school establishment fund from overseas Chinese businessmen in Djambi. Helped fellow workers write letters and send remittances to China. Left clerical job in school to trade in groceries, rubber and sauce. Repatriated to Singapore because of his involvement in anti-Japanese movements. How he started remittance business in Singapore.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 3 of 27
Metadata
- 3 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:46
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How he gained experience for operating remittance business. Set up Chuan Ann and Company to deal in remittances and rubber. Involved in mobilising coal-miners to Djambi to boycott Japanese goods. Over-zealous action of coal-miners led to his voluntary repatriation; appeal to Dutch government for re-consideration rejected. Personal contact with Yong Nyuk Lin in Singapore. Introduced to Lee Kong Chian through latter's secretary.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 4 of 27
Metadata
- 3 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:46
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Activities upon arrival in Singapore. Promoted sale of tea-leaves in Malaya before starting remittance business. Remittance shops run by different dialect groups. How licence was obtained to operate remittance business. Set up agent office in Amoy. How he won confidence of customers. Disappointed that Chinese Government had lost much foreign exchange until recently. Adopted new method in operating remittance business.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 5 of 27
Metadata
- 3 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Why he opened bank account in London. How he made money selling American dollars through comprador. His official relationship with manager of Guang Xi Bank. Imported rice and other commodities to Singapore during Japanese Occupation. See Hong Peng's ear-cutting incident. Suspected for buying Japanese goods. How he and other remittance shopowners helped one another in business. Reason for incorporating branch office in Amoy.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 6 of 27
Metadata
- 10 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:53
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Result of speaking to Tay Lian Teck about government's restriction on free exchange of remittance. How Singapore's Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) made money after Japanese surrender. Overcoming initial difficulties to start remittance business. Led remittance shops to resume business after war despite government's objecting. Meeting at Tanjong Rhu Club. Government's request for deposits for issue of licences to remittance businessmen.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 7 of 27
Metadata
- 10 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Provided personal service to all remittance clients. Stopped remittance business to deal in sundry goods in 1940s. Unpleasant experiences encountered. Reasons for helping fellow remittance businessmen. Activities during his trip to China in 1947. Persons who helped him open bank account in London in 1939. Businessmen's reaction after he had opened account. Encounter with Mamoru Shinozaki. Support obtained from small remittance shops.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 8 of 27
Metadata
- 10 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:49
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Circumstances leading to currency reform in China. Reasons for post-war decline in Overseas Chinese remittances to China. Details on formation of Guang Xi Remittance Company. Why few big remittance shops could remain in business. Advantages of establishing rapport with remittance shopowners of different dialect groups. Enterprising spirit of overseas Chinese in Indonesia. Providing good service to remittance clients. Objectives of Singapore Hokkien Remittance Association.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 9 of 27
Metadata
- 10 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How remittance shops competed with one another. Hotels, goldsmith shops and sundry stores also dealt in remittances. Why some agents in Chinese products became involved in remittance business. Objectives and set-up of Singapore Hokkien Remittance Association. His role in Association. Matters discussed during meetings in Association. Why Tan Kah Kee started "Winter Clothing" Fund. Donations to China credited to Chinese bank account in London.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 10 of 27
Metadata
- 10 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:28:06
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
He and brother helped Tan Kah Kee send telegrams to China. Set-up of sub-divisions of Singapore China Relief Fund Association. How he was involved in fund-raising activities. How Chinese National Liberation Vanguard Corps supplemented their work. How he came to know Tan Kah Kee. Colonial government sought Tan Kah Kee's help to restore order after war. Resented being called one of "Seven Gentlmen".
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
